Leicester City Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in East Midlands, Leicester City FC runs a category 1 academy
- Academy Manager: Ian Cawley
- Under 21 Coach: Leon McSweeney
- Under 18 Coach: Adam Barradell
Leicester City Academy Players On Loan 2025/26
Youth players on loan.
- Thomas Wilson-Brown (Defender) Swindon Town
- Jayden Joseph (Defender) Tranmere Rovers
- Will Alves (Midfielder) Huddersfield Town
- Kian Pennant (Forward) Gateshead
- Henry Cartwright (Midfielder) Falkirk
- Harry French (Goalkeeper) Boston United
- Jake Evans (Forward) Northampton Town
- Sammy Braybrooke (Midfielder) Newport County; Chesterfield
Leicester City Academy Products in the First Team 2025/26
- Ben Nelson (Defender) #4
- Jeremy Monga (Midfielder) #28
- Will Alves (Midfielder) #37
- Kasey McAteer (Forward) #35
- Silko Thomas (Forward) #39
- Olabade Aluko (Defender) #56
Leicester City Academy International Players 2025/26
Youth players on international duty.
- Darren Motsi (Midfielder) England U16
- Jack Peter Hames (Goalkeeper) England U16
- Jermy Monga (Forward) England U17
- Louis Page (Midfielder) England U17; U18
- Olabade Aluko (Defender) England U20
- Ben Nelson (Defender) England U21
- Chris Popov (Forward) Wales U21
Leicester City Academy Competitions
U18 Premier League
The league divides teams into North and South groups for the U18s, calling it the U18 Premier League.
Leicester City Under-18 play in the South League
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
U17 and U18 Premier League Cup
In 2017, the Premier League introduced the U18 Premier League Cup and the U16 Premier League Cup, renaming the latter to the U17 Premier League Cup in 2020 for their respective age groups.
The seven group winners, along with the best runner-up determined by total points, goal difference, and then head-to-head record, will progress to the quarterfinals.
U17 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Leicester City U17 are drawn in Group B against under 17 teams from Birmingham City, Derby County and Nottingham Forest.
- Leicester City U17 won away against Derby County U17 (2 – 3)
- Leicester City U17 drew at home against Birmingham City U17 (2 – 2)
- Leicester City U17 won at home against Nottingham Forest U17 (4 – 2)
U18 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Leicester City U18 are drawn in Group B against under 18 teams from Aston Villa, Liverpool and Newcastle United.
- Leicester City U18 lost away against Newcastle United U18 (2 – 3)
- Lorenz Hutchinson
- Luqman Aideed
- Leicester City U18 won at home against Liverpool U18 (1 – 0)
- Joseph Corden
- Leicester City U18 lost away against Aston Villa U18 (3 – 2)
FA Youth Cup
Third Round Proper
Leicester City U18 have been drawn away against Bolton Wanderers U18
- Leicester City U18 lost away against Bolton Wanderers U18 (2 – 2) (4 – 3 after Pens)
- Lorenz Hutchinson
- Hugo de Lisle
U21 Premier League Cup
The Premier League Cup was introduced in the 2013/14 season to enhance competition during the Professional Development Phase.
It added a knockout tournament alongside the regular league schedule. For the 2025/26 season, the format features nine groups.
The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the knockout stage, along with the seven best second-placed teams.
U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Leicester City U21 are drawn in Group C against under 21 teams from Ipswich Town, Charlton Athletic and Preston North End.
- Leicester City U21 lost away against Preston North End U21 (2 – 0)
- Leicester City U21 lost at home against Charlton U21 (3 – 4)
- Bobby Amartey
- Jake Evans (2)
- Leicester City U21 lost at home against Ipswich Town U21 (0 – 2)
- Leicester City U21 won away against Charlton U21 (0 – 5)
- Jake Evans
- Reiss Khela
- Riley Carr
- Mirsad Ali
- Will Daniels
Premier League 2
Starting from the 2023 season, all 26 Category 1 teams compete in a single league using the Swiss-style format.
Entry into or removal from this league depends on meeting the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria.
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
Premier League 2 PlayOff
Round of 16
Leicester City U21 have been drawn away against Tottenham Hotspur U21
- Leicester City U21 lost away against Tottenham Hotspur (1 – 0)
Premier League 2 Player of the Month
August 2025
- Kevon Gray (Nominee)
- Mirsad Ali (Nominee)
March 2026
- Jimi Gower (Nominee)
Premier League International Cup
The participating teams are split into four groups of eight, each comprising four UK-based Under-21 teams and four invited overseas clubs represented by their development squads.
Each UK team will host all four overseas clubs in their group. The results will determine the standings in each group, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stages.
U21 Premier League International Cup Group Stage
Leicester City U21 will face Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Nordsjaelland, Juventus and Valencia in Group B of the initial phase of the tournament.
Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Brom are the other UK-based teams in their group.
- Leicester City lost at home against Juventus U21 (1 – 2)
- Leicester City lost at home against Valencia Mestalla (1 – 3)
National League Cup
The National League Cup is a 32-team midweek competition, comprising of 16 Under-21s teams participating in Premier League 2 and 16 National League club first teams.
Leicester City U21 have been placed in Group B in the 2nd edition of the National League Cup competition.
National League Cup Group Stage
They will face Wealdstone, Forest Green, Boreham Wood and Braintree Town, with all matches being played away from home.
- Leicester City U21 lost away against Braintree Town (2 – 0)
- Leicester City U21 lost away against Wealdstone (2 – 1)
- Logan Briggs
- Leicester City U21 won away against Forest Green (2 – 2) (3 – 5 after Pens)
- Jake Evans
- Toby Onanaye
- Leicester City U21 lost away against Boreham Wood (4 – 3)
- Kevon Gray
- Jake Evans
- Kirsten Otchere
Leicester City Academy News
9th June 2025
Several young talents from our Academy will remain with Leicester City following the confirmation of new contracts, contract extensions, and scholarship agreements.
Seven scholars have been offered new contracts: Bless Akolbire, Ryan Donnelly, Jake Donohue, Alfie Fisken, Reiss Khela, Ola Omobolaji, and Kirsten Otchere.
Jeremy Monga has agreed to begin his professional career with Leicester City, committing his future to the Club.
Olabade Aluko has signed his first professional contract after making his Premier League debut for Leicester City against Bournemouth on the final day of the season.
Silko Thomas (20), Bobby Amartey (19), Toby Onanaye (18), and Stevie Bausor (20) have all been handed contract extensions with the Club.
In addition, a contract offer has been made to 21-year-old midfielder Brandon Cover.
26th June 2025
Bristol Rovers have signed goalkeeper Brad Young on a two-year contract after his release from Leicester City.
21st October 2025
Midfielder Louis Page has been called up to the England U17 squad for the 2025 World Cup in Qatar.
24th October 2025
Leicester City Academy midfielder Darren Motsi has earned a call-up to the England Under-16 squad for the upcoming Football Federations Cup in Antalya, Türkiye.
7th November 2025
Defender Olabade Aluko has received a call-up to the England U20 squad ahead of their upcoming match against Japan at Doncaster Rovers next Friday.
24th November 2025
Leicester City U18s will travel to face Bolton Wanderers U18 in the FA Youth Cup third round on Wednesday, December 3rd, with kick-off scheduled for 7:00 pm.
3rd December 2025
Leicester City U18’s FA Youth Cup run came to an end after a 2–2 draw with Bolton Wanderers, with the tie decided 4–3 on penalties in Bolton’s favour.
8th April 2026
Nine apprentices will be recognised at the EFL Awards on April 19 in London, honouring top young players for the 2025/26 season.
One winner per division will be chosen, with Championship nominees Louis Page (Leicester City), Leo Pecover (Bristol City), and Sheldon Kendall (Millwall).